Montana State University vs Blackfeet Community College: which has better ROI?
Montana State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,996 in 18.4 years versus not at all at Blackfeet Community College, on median earnings of $53,263 vs $22,953 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montana State University | Blackfeet Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,499 | $5,410 |
| Total net cost | $89,996 | $10,820 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,263 | $22,953 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | — |
| Payback | 18.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $8,064 | -$518,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Montana State University or Blackfeet Community College?
Blackfeet Community College, at $5,410 a year after aid versus $22,499 — a gap of $17,089 a year, or $79,176 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Montana State University or Blackfeet Community College graduates earn more?
Montana State University graduates report a median $53,263 ten years after entry, $30,310 more than the $22,953 at Blackfeet Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at Blackfeet Community College, against 57% at Montana State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.